Germs and Other Disease-Causing Microbes

Lexile Levels

Usually your body and other microbes on your skin stop their attacks. But sometimes germs build up too fast. Other times your body is too tired to stop them. Then, bad microbes get into your body. That’s when you get sick.

Your body has ways to fight infection. If germs get into your blood, special white blood cells attack them. Your immune system also makes antibodies. They help you resist certain diseases in the future. For example, antibodies for measles keep you from catching it again.

Doctors can keep you from getting some diseases ever again! They do that with vaccines. These are made from a dead or weakened form of a germ. They help your body make antibodies. However, the best protection is washing your hands!